Sunday, December 28, 2014

Alas, this post is not about any new Star Wars buzz or related fan art, this is instead a caricature of my cousin Luke done as a Christmas present.

I don't draw caricature as much as portraiture, (not since that one of Joaquin Phoenix in January) but I could probably benefit from playing with pieces that call for exaggerating the subject, rather than just copy what's there.

What I learned:

1. When working in a style that you're unfamiliar with, it's important give yourself plenty of prep time to experiment. The project may sound simple, but it'll come out better if you give yourself time to play with the possibilities.

2. If you're asked to draw someone that you've never met in your life. Make sure the client gives you MULTIPLE reference photos. Five minimum is a good place to start.

Now I want to hear from you. What have your art projects taught you in this past year?

Friday, December 26, 2014

I got to pick this week's theme and wanted something that could cast a wide net so we wouldn't all wouldn't have to draw the same character. Plus I wanted something that I was passionate enough about to be able to finish what with all the Christmas crunch.

Here we have the three T-Rex themed Red Rangers from Mighty Morphin', the new Dino Charge and Dino Thunder. Inspired by the dinosaur sentai team up from Kyoryuger vs. Go-Busters.

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Ah, Christmas that time you get together with your family. Recording this episode in the midst of the busy Christmas season; we're tired, we're cranky, and its clear that none of us want to be here tonight. What resulted is our most unintentionally hilarious episode ever!

Join Brian Farrell, Jason Roberts, Derek Ash and myself for our pointed and articulate discussion of DC Comics' TV shows before we completely lose it and incoherently ramble about the best families in pop culture.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Plenty of people have sent me e-mails letting me know that they received their copy of my Christmas card so I guess I can sure it with the rest of the world now!

Two years worth of experience have taught me to start earlier each year so it was a bit hard to come up with something Christmas-y when I had only just caught the Halloween bug. So sadly I wasn't able to continue my unintended them from previous years of a seasonal messenger coming to your home, be it by angels or an animal.

Instead I opted for a self portrait, to make it more personal.

This Christmas, surround yourself with colorful characters!

My original plan involved a picture of myself at my desk interacting with a variety of fantasy characters. It was fun to construct this set up, but it ended up being too ambitious to be fully completed in just a month.

Its an idea I'd seen in other places and wanted to give my own take on it as a way of showing people the more fantastical elements that I like to draw.

Ed Catmull, John Lasseter and friends

Walt Kelly

Jack Kirby

To try and give it a fun twist, I added the finished card at my desk to create this weird recursion illusion. Yet another case of time limitations and necessity being the mother of invention!

Now I want to hear from you! What do you think of this year's Christmas card and how do you think I can improve for next year?

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Join Chris Lockhart, Chris Giada, Brian Farrell, Derek Ash, George Pappy and myself as we brighten up the season by talking about our best Christmas gifts, our favorite TV specials, cookies and debate whether or not to tell the kids about Santa Claus.

Friday, December 12, 2014

I thought it would be funny to show a character struggling with the added alliterative appeal that crops up all over the place in the Marvel Universe. Hence we have Doctor Strange spitting all over himself trying to handle this tongue twister of a spell.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Another character I don't know anything about beyond "wears a leotard". Hence her reaction mirrors my own. I suppose I could have done another pose, but I thought it would be fun to do something tongue in cheek. (No Pun Intended!)

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Chris Lockhart leads us out for his final episode as host on the show.

Join Chris, Miss M, Derek Ash, Jason Roberts and myself as we react to the trailers for "The Force Awakens" and "Jurassic World" before discussing our favorite extraterrestrials in entertainment.Let us know what you thought of the Star Wars trailer and what your favorite alien is.

Part of the Geek Fallout Podcast

Part of the Michigan Comics Collective

About Me

Yes. I can illustrate for you.
I'm an illustrator, a storyteller and someone who can help you achieve your goals through art. I work both traditionally and digitally.
I specialize in pop culture inspired art often with a humorous twist.
You can view my portfolio and learn how to work with me at erikjohnsonillustrator.com